Back To School Already?!

Maliana ~

The last couple weeks before school was to begin again was spent with crazy preparations, a trip to the Ohio State Fair, and a couple fun new additions to our family.

You got your teacher assignment the second week of August and immediately came home to check out your old yearbooks to get yourself all jazzed about the first day of school. You didn't get the teacher you had hoped for but the one you did get (Mrs. Young) seems nice so far with a good grandmotherly vibe going on. You say you like her so I'm hopeful about this year.

you and Cori looking at an old yearbook

Later that night, the picture below happened. Not sure what it means. You told me you're a "robert" (aka robber), but you actually reminded me of the latest computer hacker to join Anonymous. No?

"shhh...I'm a robert"

Then, the next morning Daddy snapped this picture (see below). Proof that I am not kidding when I say that I feel confined to one side of the bed at night and it's nearly impossible for me to get a full night's sleep. But, in spite of my many squished nights of tossing, turning, and getting kicked or punched in the face, I know I someday will miss these cuddly evenings with my number one snuggle bug. Someday, I will only wish you still wanted to sleep so close to me again.

Maybe not today (*yawn*)...but someday. Ha.

I guess my booty makes a good pillow

Anyway, that weekend we headed to the fair. It was just you, me, Lao Lao, Uncle Flint and Monica, and Uncle Forge and Kenzie. Uncle Flint was in charge of an art display at the fair and got us all free passes. While the day was very hot, it was nice to spend time together and enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells, foods, and people watching that the fair always has to offer.

excited to be able to climb on the farm equipment
(you look so tiny!)

'peanut' in a tire

on another winning streak!

Lao Lao stole your wagon for a little rest

face paint!

Captain Mali-America and Mommy the Cheetah!

Kenzie was adopting this bunny...so we sent
this adorable picture to Daddy to see if
we could bring one home too
(cute picture, right?...I know...we play dirty!)

Kenzie was the first one of us to get suckered into decide to buy a bunny from the fair. Once we got to snuggle her sweet bunny Theo, you and I decided to go check them out too. Lo and behold...we came home with a pair of chocolate brown bunnies.

look at these adorable brothers!
(how could we not take both of them home
when they fall asleep together like this?!)

and BAM! sold to this cute little munchkin!

Both are boys (or so we're told!). Their names are not set in stone yet (you are heavily leaning towards Bun Bun for the more calm one and we're debating Psycho for the other crazy more energetic one)...but in spite of having no solidly agreed upon names yet, they sure are cuties!

slowly getting used to sitting on my lap

I love when they stand like this

And finally, we rounded out the last few weeks with you beginning school! Already?! I know! Can you believe it? You are officially a second grader! Where has the time gone?

The night before school was to begin, I read you the traditional letter that I have been reading since the night before Kindergarten began. Do you remember the one? Among other things, it's basically a lesson on compassion. Anyway, here is how I shared about it on Facebook. I love your beautiful and inspiring additions to what you want to remember this year.

And I just had to send the following text to Lao Lao later that night. You crack me up, on the daily!

That night as we were going to bed, I mentioned that I would want to take pictures of you in the morning before your first day of school. You looked at me with a horrified face and said, "Noooo...not in front of my friends, Mom!" I reassured you that we could take the pictures at home and you were immediately relieved. However, it left me wondering if you are 7 or 14? Geesh. How are we starting this already?! But I digress...

Anyway, without further ado...*drumroll* please...here are the pictures I snapped from the morning of your first day of school (at home)! Second grade...here we come!!

you, Jos, Elyse in the back, Delaney on the left and Lucy on the right

cheers to a new school year from Mom and Dad!

When we got there it went so well, without any tears this year at all! It helped that you had a few of your friends in class with you and they gave you a nice warm welcome that morning. I really wish I would have had my camera ready when one of them suggested that you all do a group hug...it was so cute. Daddy and I chatted with your teacher while you chatted with your new classmates. When it was time to go in, you marched right inside with no more than a glance back. My, how you have grown up.

Daddy and I were both heading to work but not before we enjoyed a 15 minute coffee date to toast the successful beginning of a new school year and to celebrate the fact that he was out of the hospital and got to enjoy personally seeing you off on your first day of school. With us. As a family. We seriously didn't know if that would happen this year. We feel so lucky.

It truly is the little things that turn out to be the big things in life.

Be grateful for those little things, sweetie. Every. Single. Day.

Love,
Mama

P.S. And here's one more funny before I go...these are the kinds of things your daddy and I text about during the day. Thank you for being such a funny kid and giving us so much material to make us laugh.

xoxo to our future rock star ~
Mama